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What building regulations do I need to consider when installing a new bathroom?

You may be thinking of making plans for a bathroom or you are just beginning the process of renovating your bathroom and want to ensure your project will be a success, our comprehensive guide is full of valuable tips and information to help you along your journey.

Bathroom remodeling is an exciting endeavor and also for many home owners, it’s the time they’ve been waiting for, is when they leave behind an out-dated bathroom suite and old plumbing and hello to a sparkling, fresh, spa-worthy retreat.

But before you get carried to the first bathroom showroom you go to be sure to make a plan for your bathroom Explore all the possibilities for bathroom layouts and fittings and think about who will take care of the task for you. Remember, many building contractors can also help you with your bathroom design.

Installing your bathroom: Do I need a skilled builder?

There are several trades involved with bathroom fittingfor instance, a builder, tiler, electrician, and plumber. There is also the possibility of a plasterer or decorator. Some builders can complete all the tasks necessary for the installation of bathrooms. If you employ a builder who can oversee and oversee bathrooms, then they will employ and coordinate trades for you.

Your route should reflect several factors: including your budget, the extent of your DIY abilities and the timeframe you’re working towards, the amount of work that is likely to be required with the bathroom installation, as well as the type of bathroom fittings you’ve picked.

There are several common situations where hiring a builder to handle your bathroom remodeling is the best option to take, for example:

Installing a brand new bathroom starting from scratch. This is often the case for larger remodeling projects, such as when new bathrooms are constructed within an extension or where bathrooms are created out of rooms that were previously converted to other uses.
If you have party walls (walls shared between you and a neighbour) could be affected.
In the case of internal walls, they need to be constructed or being removed. This is especially the case when the walls contain constructed to be structural (load supporting).
When new fittings need the existing floors to be reinforced this is often the case when luxurious baths are being constructed.
To create the wet room, structural calculations, waterproofing and drainage concerns are often faced.
If you’ve decided to get the fixtures and fittings you require from different sources instead of using an in-house supply- and-fit from the bathroom expert. A builder can manage the construction for you.
Where building regulations (also called building regulations) approval or conformity is mandatory.
When opting for certain fixtures and fittings that require expert knowledge to fit, such as heavy, large-format stone tiles, or wall-hung sanitaryware.
If you’re struggling to plan your bathroom fitting on your own (perhaps due to time limitations). Employing a builder for the entire project will mean you’ve got an expert on hand who can use their own team of trusted trades. This means that the majority of the organization work is assigned to a third party, plus most builders are knowledgeable about every aspect of bathroom installation such as plumbing, tiling and electrics, so you won’t have to search for trades in isolation.

Choosing a builder

When choosing a builder to do your bathroom renovation, make sure they have a good understanding of not only the building codes that apply to bathrooms, but also show a thorough knowledge of the kind of bathroom work you are undertaking and have completed similar work in the past.

How to plan a bathroom

Before you start choosing sanitaryware and looking at the latest bathroom designs, you must plan the bathroom correctly to ensure that it is tailored to your specific requirements.

If you’re using an architect to construct the bathroom for you with them right from the beginning about what you want from the new space -A skilled builder can be very helpful when it comes to explaining the benefits of fittings, layouts as well as the expected costs.

A concise and precise idea of what you’d like to see in your bathroom should serve as the foundation of the proposal you send to your bathroom retailer or installer. Many Master Builders can also assist you in the design of your bathroom so bring them into the project at the beginning.

When you are considering renovating a bathroom, begin by taking a look at bathroom layouts which maximize the space.

Begin by determining the best position for the toilet and then look at the location of the current soil pipe and the location it is inserted into the roomthis will give you the best location for the new toilet. You can then adjust that.
Make use of graph paper to map the windows or doors and any other fixtures that could impact the layout of your bathroom, such as Dormer windows and bulkheads alcoves or sloping ceilings.
You can then play on the best place to put your the sanitary products (basin bathtub, shower enclosure) Make sure you draw it to the same size.
If you use an architect to manage the project, they might be able to work with you on the layout for your bathroom or even suggest several bathroom layout ideas for you.
It is essential to think about whom the bath will ultimately be used by. Anyone with young children, for example, may be in the mood for a bath. must think about clean or non-slip floors. A walk-in shower or twin basins may be better suited for an ensuite bathroom with a large space.

Are you planning to remodel your bathroom or are you starting from scratch?

There are several methods to create a brand new bathroom.

A simple update is the ideal option for those who is looking to make a change on a shoestring. The current layout should remain as it is to prevent the need to move plumbing but include newer sanitaryware, additional storage or an electric towel warmer.

Remodeling a bathroom generally involves moving things around, or perhaps creating more space through the addition of separate WCs or even taking some space from an adjacent bedroom. These can require new or modified plumbing systems.

When it comes to new builds or larger renovation projects, bathrooms are likely to be created in an entirely new location, and in this in this case, the assistance of a builder , or any other expert is essential to make sure that the new plumbing and electrical systems are compliant with building regulations.

In every case it is recommended to discuss the possibility of moving pipes, plumbing, waste and electrical connections with your contractor at the time of design.
Picking the right an item that is sanitary

The basin and the toilet are both bathroom essentials. Beyond that, the option boils down to a bathtub or shower enclosure or both.

Shower over-bath or separate enclosure?
Anyone looking for bathroom ideas with a small footprint ought to think about an over-bath shower. Look at shower baths with a tub that is designed at one end to make room for standing. Consider baths from the bathroom store with flat bases, ideally with an anti-slip coating.

If you want shower enclosures, then the most comfortable size is 760mm by 760mm with a clearance space of at minimum 610mm. Shower enclosures that have fixed glass panels as well as sliding doors that require no out-swing space are an excellent option for smaller bathrooms, whilst larger walk-in enclosures can add a touch of luxury.

What is a standard bathroom size?
Baths work well in family bathrooms . Although the typical bath size is 1700mm x 700mm, you can buy larger or smaller baths over this size, aswell having double-ended bathtubs, in which the waste is located centrally.

The decision to select a basin
When it comes to choosing an appropriate basin size, larger is better. Therefore, choose the biggest dimension you can accommodate especially in the bathroom for your family. Semi- and wall-hung basins offer a greater sense the space in your floor, and permit you to choose the size at which they’re fixed. Full-pedestal sinks are typically less expensive and offer a traditional look.

What building regulations do I have to take into consideration?

If you’re renovating your bathroom (as instead of building the bathroom from scratch), you are likely to require services like electrics, plumbing and waste connected. But, if you’re renovating your bathroom fittings and fixtures or changing the layout of your bathroom sanitaryware and fixtures, you may discover that you require additional wiring or pipework, or even for existing plumbing and electrical services to be changed.

The replacement of old sanitaryware and taps will not require building regulations approval moving a bathroom or installing a fresh one will.

Additionally, any electrical work close to and around wet areas like baths and showers, will need to comply with building regulations as well as any work that extends or alters drainage systems.

This is another instance where the help of a skilled contractor will help guide you through the task. Many builders will be able to hire reliable trades to do plumbing and electrical works, in the event that they manage your project for you.

When the job is complete when the work is done, your employee must hand in the document that proves that the work is in compliance with Building Regulations if necessary. This is an essential requirement if you’ve hired qualified tradesmen. It is your responsibility to safely store your certificates and present them when needed – potential buyers will require compliant documentation when you wish to sell your house.

How long will it take to set up a bathroom?

The amount of duration required to finish an entire bathroom renovation could differ from a few weeks for small installations to several weeks for larger and more complicated bathroom remodels.

The contractor can provide you with an idea of the timeline so you can know what you should be expecting, but it also assists in understanding an average schedule of works to construct a bathroom.

A typical schedule of work for the installation of the bathroom

Write your bathroom’s brief and make a budget.
Find a builder, present them your requirements and request three quotes minimum before hiring.
Choose your builder, then sign a written contract, book your project and then finalize the timeline. (Plan in advance as many skilled builders won’t be available to start immediately).
Finalize your brief and select your sanitaryware, fittings, materials, and fixtures together with your builder.
Get rid of and eliminate the existing bathroom.
First fix plumbing and electrics and wiring, then putting new systems in place and taking care of now defunct pipes and wiring.
Installing plasterboard, levelling walls or tile backing board, laying down.
Plastering and repairing ceilings.
Reforcing, levelling (where required), screeding and waterproofing the flooring.
The second fix plumbing includes fitting of the toilet and heated towel rail taps and bath, shower enclosure, basin and taps.
Second fix wiring, which includes the fitting of an extractor fan as well as shaver points electrical underfloor heating lights and switches.
Wall and floor tiling.
Final decoration.
All necessary certificates are handed to you to ensure safekeeping.
Take a bath and relax in the brand new bathroom!